Mything in action
Three books about some honestly pretty cranky gods.
Here’s what happened—I picked up a book that taught me about a particular mythology, and it made me laugh. Then I thought about some other books that incorporated other mythologies, and then I thought about my friend Morgan and her deep and undying love for Hadestown and how she has listened to my incessant, prattling devotion for a certain BBC Masterpiece show for several weeks without complaint.
And like Athena from the head of Zeus, an EELS sprang forth!
Next week, I think we’re back to horror, because I’m not going to just sit here and let an October go to waste. Not on my watch!
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🌺 Circe
Madeline Miller, 2018
Madeline Miller is the goddess of mythology novelizations right now. And there’s a subsection of you reading this that’s saying, “How dare you come in here with Circe when The Song of Achilles is out there being so amazing?” Well, I HAVEN’T READ IT, subsection! I keep meaning to, but I sort of over-confidently bought the dang thing in Italian, thinking, “Yes, I will definitely read a book in Italian,” a language I have not studied since college.
Circe, however, is pretty great. You may remember this character from your trusty D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths as a daughter, mother, lover, and—October bonus—a cool witch with whom all the other gods have various problems. Guess what, gods! Two can play this game, and just goes to show how not-smart gods are sometimes when they leave witches alone on islands with a bunch of powerful plants.
Recommended to: Those who like a good story about a woman who is not trying to hear about this today. Also you’ll need to be in it for the long haul—it does drag a bit in the middle, but things happen. Revenge is a dish best served whenever Circe pleases.
🔨 Norse Mythology
Neil Gaiman, 2018
Sometimes, you don’t need a clever retelling of a myth, you just need someone who is a very good writer to tell you the myths. And beyond Marvel stuff, I don’t actually know much about the Asgard crew!
I tend to trust Neil Gaiman, and not because he is Tori Amos’s best friend (well, not just because he’s Tori Amos’s best friend, anyway).1 He’s imaginative, funny, a tiny bit silly, a smidge cute, and knows exactly how to tell a story about hot semi-immortal braggarts who frigging love to beat the hell out of giants. What did ancient Scandinavians have against giants, jeez.
Anyway, this is genuinely straight myth-telling. There’s not much of a plot. Loki, you are just the best.
Recommended to: Those who were enthralled by D’Aulaire’s as a kid—and sort of looked at the Edith Hamilton stuff later on, like “Why would I read this boring version when cheeky baby Hermes stealing cows is right over there?”
🏹 Crota
Owl Goingback, 1996
I’m stretching my theme here, because 1. It’s my newsletter, 2. I make the rules, and 3. October!
Whatever! I already gave you D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths AND The Song of Achilles (which, again, I have not read as it is sitting on my shelf, collecting Italian dust) so that’s two others, but I just felt like, andiamo, let’s get out of Europe. Crota incorporates elements of some Missouri Native American mythology, in that “the Crota” itself is a sort of terrible, Land Cthulhu who rises from the bowels of the Earth. Older than time! More evil than evil! Awoken by an earthquake and now here to wreak havoc upon your small, economically depressed town, the Crota cannot be stopped by the ineffective guns of the white colonizers. The Crota requires a warrior.
I listened to this on audiobook while skittering around my neighborhood like a frightened rabbit, jumping a mile if anyone walking a dog got too close. (Although, warning, there are some graphic scenes within this book. The Crota does not spare dogs. Or anyone.)
Recommended to: Those who just want a good, scary thriller featuring grizzled cops, medicine men, beasts, old caves, and, you know, mythology stuff!
Want to see what books I’ve recommended in the past? Guess what—I’ve created a handy spreadsheet with all sorts of helpful info to help you choose your next read, and if you’re an EELS subscriber, I’ll give you access to it. It’s free, it’s easy, maybe it’ll help!
And now, a bonus recommendation
“What is it?
Well, the good news is you said you’re going see Hadestown
I did? (I did?)
You did, there's bad news though
What is it?
You can walk, but you really should run as fast as you can and fill your pockets with tissues and get ready to fall in love and get your heart broke but somehow be hopeful after it all!?!”
Recommended by: Morgan, who wants you to see Hadestown next time you are in New York or if it comes through your place of life on tour. It’s a musical that tells the story of Orpheus and Eurydice but also Hades and Persephone with a New Orleans vibe—those are a LOT of words I like in one sentence! The last three books Morgan liked were The Universe in Your Hand: A Journey Through Space, Time, and Beyond, The Falconer, and Acid for the Children.
That was the twenty-fifth EELS! I would be just so grateful if you’d share widely with your networks! As always, send any and all questions, feedback, and shouted book recommendations by hitting reply.
📚 Susan
My child recommended a book of his awhile back; I have read that book, and it would be another good October one for any age above, let’s say, 10. It’s pretty scary.